New York rabbis push George Latimer to challenge ‘Squad’ Rep. Jamaal Bowman for House seat

Dozens of rabbis and other Jewish leaders are pushing Westchester County, New York, Executive George Latimer to challenge Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) for his congressional seat next year.

In a letter to the New York Democrat, the Jewish leaders cited Bowman’s refusal to support Israel as going against their values and justifying a run against him. They said that Bowman “brought a deeply concerning agenda to Washington,” particularly his “damaging” position toward “America’s relationship with Israel.”

John Minchillo/AP

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The group negatively contrasted Bowman with the man he unseated, former Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel, who “consistently delivered for the people of Westchester and represented our core values in Washington, especially in unwavering support for Israel’s safety and security.”

“Since being elected, Bowman has led the effort to erode support for Israel on Capitol Hill and within the Democratic Party,” they wrote. “That’s why we’re turning to you, in the hope that you will announce your candidacy for Congress and restore our values to this important seat in Washington.”

“Your election would be a vital course correction from the last three years,” they continued. “We are behind you, and we know that our communities will strongly support you if you enter the race. Your remarks at the Westchester Jewish Council Community Rally on Tuesday, October 10th, gave us great hope that you would bring the same unflinching moral courage and conviction to an office where it is desperately needed at this crucial time.”

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Latimer is seen as more of a return to the establishment that Bowman unseated, though his website still touts his achievements in advancing many progressive policies. He has also been vocal in his strong support of Israel, as seen in the letter.

Bowman has come under fire since Hamas’s surprise attack against Israel earlier this month, which began the deadliest clash between Israel and Palestinians since Israel’s founding in 1948. Jewish leaders have denounced Bowman’s hesitation to firmly side with Israel, which he has done alongside several other new progressive representatives, such as Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).